Chico State track and field team takes aim at nationals

CHICO &GT;&GT; The Chico State track and field team has already packed a season worth of highlights and achievements, but the Wildcats' haven't quenched their appetite yet.

Already owning the men's 11th straight conference title and the women's fifth consecutive crown, the Wildcats are looking for even more at the NCAA Division II Track and Field Championships, which start today and continue through Saturday at Grand Valley State's stadium in Allendale, Mich.

"Hopefully we actually get a little more dessert," said J Patrick Smith, the two-time defending national champion in the decathlon, and in the event a strong enough performance could land three Wildcats another big meet. "If we score well enough, we'll qualify for the U.S. track meet, which is in Sacramento at the end of June."

But first, 14 Chico State athletes — seven men and seven women, who will be joined by seven coaches — will vie for national titles at the collegiate level and All-American status amongst 754 qualifiers, 377 of them men and 377 women.

"I'm excited to see Chico compete and see what we're all about," Smith said as he and other Wildcats mentioned how they feed off their fans who always travel well to far-flung meets somehow. "We're going to be loud and be bringing some heat. It's going to be fun."

Smith, taking aim at a third straight decathlon title to cap an award-winning collegiate career, will be joined in the event by teammates John Brunk, who was fourth in 2012 before red-shirting last year, and Ted Elsenbaumer, who nearly medaled last year, finishing ninth.

This season, they enter the finals with Smith having the highest qualifying point total in the 16-deep field with 7,351, Brunk second with 7,262 and Elsenbaumer third at 7,260, making it a realistic shot the close-knit trio could top the podium.

"We're really close buds," said Brunk, a former neighbor when Smith and Elsenbaumer lived together. "In the five years I've been here, this is the best camaraderie, the most team cohesion."

That unity has the trio, and the rest of the Wildcats, seeking to make an even bigger statement starting with the decathlon.

"I think it would just be a great statement that Chico State is a powerhouse in the multis and we want to show that," Elsenbaumer said.

Smith also will compete in the long jump, one of many Wildcats doubling up in separate events.

Isaac Chavez, an All-American in 2011 and 2013, will be making his fourth straight appearance at nationals in both the 5,000 meters and 10,000.

Alex McGuirk makes his first trip to nationals, competing in the 5,000 and the 3,000 steeplechase.

Barron Maizland will also make his national debut, running in the 3,000 steeplechase, and senior Michael Souza will compete in the high jump.

Kasey Barnett heads up the Chico State's women's team, making her second straight national appearance. Barnett, a Chico High graduate, will vie in the long jump, pole vault and run a leg of the 400 relay, along with Aja Erskine, Ashley Jones and Amilia Santos.

Ayla Granados caps off her senior season with her second consecutive trip to nationals, running in the 1,500 and 5,000.

Olivia Watt will make her first nationals appearance, running in the 800 and 1,500.

Pleasant Valley High grad and Chico State freshman Brooke Whitburn will compete in the long jump.

"I've really enjoyed this ride," said Smith, who was named the Chico Sportsperson of the Year earlier this month at the Chico Sports Hall of Fame and Senior Athletes Banquet, where he and Barnett were also recognized as the school's top senior athletes. "This is the last hurrah, and I'm going to treat it that way. Just everything is going to get left out on the track."